by our College Data Analytics Team
[Specialized Sales Merchandising Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/specialized-sales-merchandising-marketing/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their specialized sales merchandising marketing graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send specialized sales merchandising marketing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Northwood University Michigan the top school for specialized sales merchandising marketing graduate earnings in the Great Lakes Region. Northwood University Michigan is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Midland. Specialized Sales Merchandising Marketing graduates of Northwood University Michigan earn a median of about $79,201 a year early in their careers.
Ferris State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying specialized sales merchandising marketing schools. Ferris State University is a public school located in the town of Big Rapids. After graduating, specialized sales merchandising marketing degree recipients from Ferris State University typically earn about $61,321 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Kent State University At Kent earned it the #3 place for specialized sales merchandising marketing. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. After graduating, specialized sales merchandising marketing degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent typically earn about $57,478 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Mount Mary College earned it the #4 place for specialized sales merchandising marketing. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, specialized sales merchandising marketing degree recipients from Mount Mary College typically earn about $41,523 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for specialized sales merchandising marketing. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Specialized Sales Merchandising Marketing graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of about $47,884 a year early in their careers.
Central Michigan University landed the #6 spot for specialized sales merchandising marketing salaries this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career specialized sales merchandising marketing graduates from Central Michigan University make a median of around $50,960 per year.
Hocking College earned the #7 position for specialized sales merchandising marketing graduate earnings this year. Hocking College is a public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. After graduating, specialized sales merchandising marketing degree recipients from Hocking College typically earn about $34,739 annually.
Dominican University came in at #8 for specialized sales merchandising marketing graduate earnings this year. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students who complete the specialized sales merchandising marketing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,414.
Ball State University earned the #9 position for specialized sales merchandising marketing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Early-career specialized sales merchandising marketing graduates from Ball State University make a median of around $35,904 per year.
Western Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying specialized sales merchandising marketing schools. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. After graduating, specialized sales merchandising marketing degree recipients from Western Michigan University typically earn about $28,765 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their specialized sales merchandising marketing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 10 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.